Rotherham United: Millers ready for tough division

Rotherham United are moving into League One with the division tougher than last year.

That’s the view of Millers manager Steve Evans who says he has been looking forward to this day since he arrived at the club.

“My brief was to get this club promoted and so the aim was to be in League One as soon as possible,” said Evans whose side open against Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road.

“Well, I was looking forward to doing that and to have this club up in League One with the aim that, one day, we will be higher. But first things first, we’ve got the promotion and now League One is here.

“What I will say is that it looks a lot tougher than last season’s division. I thought six or seven at the top of League Two last season would have been ok in League One last time.

“Now, I look around... look first at those clubs who have come down... look at some of the others and know it is tougher.

“Wolves and Bristol City are being strongly fancied. Peterborough have just spent £1.5m on a striker (Britt Assombalonga from Watford who was on loan at Southend last season) then there’s Sheffield United, under a new manager, Brentford should do well again, Preston are being fancied by a lot of people and don’t forget MK Dons or such as Coventry.

“Then you had a club like Yeovil coming through and surprising everyone last season so there could be a surprise package as well. Then there’s the teams who’ve come up. Perhaps nine or ten clubs believe they can be at the top.

“It’s a tough division but I believe we’re equipped. We signed some good players last season who were better than League Two and there are individuals who have played in League One and higher and I expect them to acquit themselves well.

“Yes, there will always be question marks asking if some can step up and there will be those who will fall away but I think we have got a good squad together and if we retain our focus and hunger then we’ll be ok.”

Evans says a final check will be made today on hamstring victim Daniel Nardiello and if he “trains properly” then he’s on the coach to Crewe.

New signing Matt Tubbs missed a week of training with a thigh strain but has been ok this week... “he’s worked hard and looked sharp,” said Evans who admitted that Kieran Agard had made a case to challenge after his recent displays.